Supporters’ Club Notes (20/08/2017)

Sun Aug 20th 2017

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

We didn’t think it could get any better than our fantastic 4-2 win over Sligo Rovers a week ago but scoring seven magnificent goals certainly felt like it. Once again, we had some perfect weather and the pitch was looking in top class condition. Despite a tiny following from our visitors, we had an other very good crowd in attendance. Once again Section O added greatly to the atmosphere with their songs, chants and good humoured taunts. Martin Stapleton will be trawling through the archives to see when we last scored seven but for the vast majority of Saturday night’s attendance, this was a glorious first. We’ve had enough bleak nights during the season so this one was savoured. Three up within twelve minutes courtesy of a super Sully show, we could have gone in at half time leading by five. Despite conceding one just after the break, the hapless Igor Labuts had to pick the ball out his net four more times before the ref’s final whistle ended his misery. Tony Ghee has an excellent match report on LTFC.ie, but just for the record the record breaking goal scorers were David O Sullivan x3, Karl Chambers x2 with Daniel O’Reilly and Kealan Dillon one each. Eleven goals scored in our last two home games…as Van Morrison might have said “ There’ll be nights like this.”

SUPER SULLY SHOW

Cork City have lost their goal machine Seanie Maguire but we have held on to ours. Just back from a long (and first ever) injury absence Davy O’Sullivan certainly made an immediate and historical impact on the game against the struggling Athlone outfit. He bagged his hat trick on the 59th second of the 12th minute which surely must be the fastest ever hat trick in the history of the club – if not the league. No doubt those who keep an eye on such things will have the correct facts later in the week. But to make matters even more spectacularly outrageous , it was his 3rd hat trick this season against the same opposition. Surely a feat which will never be repeated. While his stunning scoring feat brought unbridled joy to all Town supporters, his post match patience endeared him to a host of parents and younger supporters. Instead of disappearing down the tunnel to enjoy the dressing room adulation and banter, Sully stayed back until every young boy and girl had their photo taken with him. His scoring prowess has made him a legendary figure within the club but his willingness to spend time with the youngsters is something that’s simply priceless. The Super Sully Show deserves national sporting recognition but we’re not holding our breaths.

THE FENN FACTOR

Since arriving at the City Calling Stadium, our new manager Neale Fenn has been making quite an impression. While some are impressed with his choice of sharp suits, for others it’s his ability to endear himself with the supporters. Even when results have gone against us, he’s willing to stop and chat and pose for photos and always with a broad smile. Some have even compared his social skills to the present Dundalk manager. And that’s saying something. But he also has the players playing differently and seems to have instilled a strong bond and self belief. At one stage early on, there was a lot of back play which added a much stress amongst older supporters with dodgy hearts. But for the moment, at any rate, he seems to have abandoned that for a more direct style, which in turn has reduced stress levels in the stand. What is pleasing a lot too is his willingness to give the local boys a run. To date Tristan Noack-Hofmann, Aodh Dervin and Dan Beya have benefited from this approach. Long may it all last.

SPARE A THOUGHT

Whilst we left the City Calling Stadium on cloud 99 on Saturday night, spare a thought for Athlone Town. For a long time now there has been a fierce rivalry between the clubs and the love lost wouldn’t amount to much. But former Longford Town player Etanda Nkololo explained a few things to some local supporters who knew him well when he sported the red and black. Some of his team mates had gone to Taiwan to play in a Students’ competition and others failed to turn up on the night. We expected to see some more former Longford Town players make an appearance for the opposition but they simply didn’t show. On top of that there seems to be a growing unrest between the supporters and management ( again ). Roddy Collins had only two players keeping their bench warm. It must have a cool place to watch the game from. It’s a great pity to see any LOI club experiencing difficulties, even Athlone Town FC.

AVRIL’S ARTISTRY

Avril Gilchriest is our Supporters’ Club chairperson but she’s so much more than that. Affable Avril is busy keeping us all on our collective toes , organising half time games and ball boys and then serving teas and coffees in the Clubhouse. But if you think that’s enough for one superwoman, it’s not enough for our Avril. Last week, she was hard at work preparing a collection of articles and photographs from our promotion in 2014 and which graced the Clubhouse last Saturday night. The positive reaction to the display was a testament to her hard work, passion and enthusiasm for the club. Now, if only we could clone Avril.

CUP GAME

This Friday night we travel to Dublin to face Bangor Celtic in round 2 of the FAI Cup. The game will be played at the Iveagh Grounds, Crumlin which is the home of St Jame’s Gate. It’s a name and venue which will resonate with older supporters and indeed Guinness drinkers. Bangor scored three goals in seeing off a spirited Everton side in the first round and won’t be any pushover for De Town. Banana skins don’t come any slippier than this , so hopefully all the squad will be wearing the correct cogs on Friday night.

50 / 50 WINNER

The winner of last week’s 50/50 draw was Pete Donnelly, Newport, Legan. Pete won €350. Remember the more people who enter the draw, the bigger the prize.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH / AUGUST

For many of our younger supporters, the end of August means early risings, the welcome return to exciting classrooms and fun homework but for some others it means picking the August Player of the Month. Although, we still have one game to go, it has been an exceptional month and we wait with bated breath to see who our winner will be. So far, there are as many nominees as there are players. It’s going to be a tough decision. The presentation will be made at our first home game in September by a member of the Supporters’ Club drawn by lottery.